Photo by Marcin Laukajtys

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Contact Aleksandra Baldych @ joshlawrencejazz@gmail.com

Press Release

NEW CD FROM ACCLAIMED TRUMPETER JOSH LAWRENCE, ROOTS, RELEASED BY KUNAKI AND BFM DIGITAL

The Josh Lawrence Jazz 3’s second studio album Roots, an autobiographical song-cycle chronicling the bandleader’s personal and musical influences, has been released by Kunaki and BFM Digital. Featuring nine original compositions written by Lawrence and co-producer Jamal Jones, Roots is an individual story of the streets and sounds of New York City and Philadelphia – as told through a new, unique and soulful voice.

“The sound is pure, unadulterated New York City and Philadelphia jazz… ROOTS is one of the freshest albums I’ve heard in 2010… All nine cuts can stand on their own merit. Collectively, it makes it a fantastic album.” - Atane Ofiaja, Elements of Jazz.

Recorded at Modern Recording of Rahway by Anthony Williams (a protégé of the legendary Randy Muller), Roots features bassist Ken Pendergast, drummer Michael De Castro and alto saxophonist Mike Cemprola. The album is an extension of musical ideas explored by the Monday Quintet which was co-led by Lawrence and Pendergast in Philadelphia where the two began their collaboration at the University of the Arts.

The arrangements came together spontaneously in the studio with each band member offering their artistic insight. Lawrence also called upon the talents of co-producer Jamal Jones to create music for the CD – as heard on his composition “One For The Cats”.

This past year has been incredibly prolific for the trumpeter as he performed in clubs and festivals across Europe spreading the “gospel of American jazz”. His duo project with pianist Reggie Moore has received critical praise in Germany, his work with Damage Control has garnered rave reviews throughout Poland and the recent Jazz 3 tours have established him as a bright new star on the international stage.

Lawrence studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and became a popular sideman on the neo-soul and jazz scenes playing with artists from Erykah Badu to Charli Persip. After graduation, he moved to the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem. He co-founded the Uptown Brass at the Church of the Intercession in Washington Heights, worked as musical director for the band Harlem Psychedelic and taught on faculty as brass instructor at Bronx Arts and Bronx Lab.

Roots is available at www.joshlawrencejazz.com.

For more information and interview requests, please contact joshlawrencejazz@gmail.com.

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